Techniques for adaptive brightness control of a display are described. A apparatus may comprise a display and a display control module communicatively coupled to the display. The display control module may be arranged to modify brightness levels for the display based on ambient light level measurements and changes in pupil size of a human eye. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: measuring ambient light levels for a mobile computing device; determining a target pupil size based on the ambient light level measurements; comparing a target pupil size with a current pupil size; selecting a pupil size response curve based on a comparison of a target pupil size and a current pupil size; determining a target pupil size from a selected pupil size response curve; converting a target pupil size determined from a selected pupil size response curve to one or more display brightness control values; and modifying brightness levels for the display of the mobile computing device based on one or more brightness control values and a timed ramp, wherein the time ramp is to provide a transition to a brightness level.
A method for adjusting the brightness of a mobile device display based on ambient light and the user's pupil size. The method involves measuring the surrounding light levels, determining the ideal pupil size for that light level, and comparing it to the user's current pupil size. Based on this comparison, a specific pupil size response curve is selected that models how pupil size changes over time in response to light changes. A target pupil size is determined from the selected curve. This target pupil size is then converted into display brightness settings. Finally, the display brightness is adjusted gradually over time (using a timed ramp) to avoid sudden, jarring changes, providing a smooth transition to the new brightness level.
2. The method of claim 1 , comprising selecting a first pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is smaller than a current pupil size, the first pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from lower luminance to higher luminance.
The method for adjusting display brightness, as described previously, includes selecting a specific pupil size response curve when the ideal pupil size (based on ambient light) is *smaller* than the user's current pupil size. This specific curve models how the pupil constricts (gets smaller) over time when moving from a darker to a brighter environment. The curve reflects the natural physiological response of the eye to increasing light levels.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising selecting a second pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is larger than a current pupil size, the second pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from higher luminance to lower luminance.
The method for adjusting display brightness, as described previously, includes selecting a different pupil size response curve when the ideal pupil size (based on ambient light) is *larger* than the user's current pupil size. This second curve models how the pupil dilates (gets larger) over time when moving from a brighter to a darker environment. The curve reflects the natural physiological response of the eye to decreasing light levels.
4. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable computer program instructions that when executed enable a computing system to: measure ambient light levels for a mobile computing device; determine a target pupil size based on the ambient light level measurements; compare a target pupil size with a current pupil size; select a pupil size response curve based on a comparison of a target pupil size and a current pupil size; determine a target pupil size from a selected pupil size response curve; convert a target pupil size determined from a selected pupil size response curve to one or more display brightness control values; and modify brightness levels for the display of the mobile computing device based on one or more brightness control values and a timed ramp, wherein the time ramp is to provide a transition to a brightness level.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium contains instructions that, when executed, cause a mobile computing device to adjust its display brightness based on ambient light and pupil size. The instructions perform these steps: measure the surrounding light levels, determine the ideal pupil size for that light level, and compare it to the user's current pupil size. Based on the comparison, a specific pupil size response curve is selected that models how pupil size changes over time. A target pupil size is determined from the curve and converted into display brightness settings. Finally, the display brightness is adjusted gradually over time (using a timed ramp) for a smooth transition.
5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 4 , comprising executable computer program instructions that when executed enable the computing system to determine a first target pupil size based on the ambient light level measurements, compare the target pupil size with a current pupil size, select a pupil size response curve based on the comparison, determine a second target pupil size from the selected pupil size response curve, and convert the second target pupil size determined from a selected pupil size response curve to one or more display brightness control values.
The computer-readable storage medium described previously includes further instructions to: determine a first estimate of target pupil size based on ambient light levels; compare this initial target pupil size to the current pupil size; select a pupil size response curve based on that comparison; determine a *second*, refined target pupil size based on the selected curve; and convert this second target pupil size (derived from the response curve) into display brightness control values. This allows for a more nuanced approach to controlling the display brightness.
6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 4 , comprising executable computer program instructions that when executed enable the computing system to select a first pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is smaller than a current pupil size, the first pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from lower luminance to higher luminance.
The computer-readable storage medium described previously includes instructions to select a specific pupil size response curve when the ideal pupil size (based on ambient light) is *smaller* than the user's current pupil size. This curve models the pupil's constriction (reduction in size) over time as the eye adapts to brighter conditions (moving from lower to higher luminance).
7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 4 , comprising executable computer program instructions that when executed enable the computing system to select a second pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is larger than a current pupil size, the second pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from higher luminance to lower luminance.
The computer-readable storage medium described previously includes instructions to select a different pupil size response curve when the ideal pupil size (based on ambient light) is *larger* than the user's current pupil size. This curve models the pupil's dilation (increase in size) over time as the eye adapts to darker conditions (moving from higher to lower luminance).
8. An apparatus, comprising: a display; a luminance module operative to: determine a target pupil size based on the ambient light level measurements; compare a target pupil size with a current pupil size; select a pupil size response curve based on a comparison of a target pupil size and a current pupil size; determine a target pupil size from a selected pupil size response curve; convert a target pupil size determined from a selected pupil size response curve to one or more display brightness control values; and a display control module communicatively coupled to the display, the display control module operative to modify brightness levels for the display of the mobile computing device based on one or more brightness control values and a timed ramp, wherein the time ramp is to provide a transition to a brightness level.
An apparatus comprises a display and a luminance module for automatically adjusting display brightness based on ambient light and estimated pupil size. The luminance module determines the ideal pupil size based on ambient light measurements and compares that ideal size to the current pupil size. It then selects a pupil size response curve based on the comparison. A refined target pupil size is determined from this curve and converted into brightness control values. A display control module then adjusts the display brightness based on these values, using a timed ramp to provide a smooth visual transition to the new brightness level.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , the display control module comprising an ambient light sensor operative to measure ambient light levels within a defined field.
The apparatus described previously, which adjusts display brightness, includes an ambient light sensor as part of the display control module. This sensor measures the ambient light levels in the device's surroundings, providing the necessary data for determining the target pupil size and adjusting the display brightness accordingly. The light sensor captures the luminance within its defined field of view.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , the display control module comprising the luminance module operative to determine a first target pupil size based on the ambient light level measurements, compare the target pupil size with a current pupil size, select a pupil size response curve based on the comparison, determine a second target pupil size from the selected pupil size response curve, and convert the second target pupil size determined from a selected pupil size response curve to one or more display brightness control values.
The apparatus described previously, which adjusts display brightness, uses a luminance module to: determine a first estimate of target pupil size based on ambient light levels; compare this initial target pupil size to the current pupil size; select a pupil size response curve based on that comparison; determine a *second*, refined target pupil size based on the selected curve; and convert this second target pupil size (derived from the response curve) into display brightness control values. This allows for a more nuanced and accurate adjustment of display brightness.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , the display control module comprising the luminance module operative to select a first pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is smaller than a current pupil size, the first pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from lower luminance to higher luminance.
The apparatus described previously, which adjusts display brightness, uses its luminance module to select a specific pupil size response curve when the ideal pupil size (based on ambient light) is *smaller* than the user's current pupil size. This selected curve models the pupil's constriction (reduction in size) over time as the eye adapts to brighter conditions (moving from lower to higher luminance).
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , the display control module comprising the luminance module operative to select a second pupil size response curve when a target pupil size is larger than a current pupil size, the second pupil size response curve representing changes in pupil size over time in response to changes in ambient light levels from higher luminance to lower luminance.
An apparatus, such as a mobile computing device, features an adaptive display brightness control system. This system includes a display and a luminance module. The luminance module first determines an initial target pupil size based on measured ambient light levels. It then compares this initial target pupil size with a current pupil size and selects a specific pupil size response curve based on that comparison. After selecting the curve, it determines a *final* target pupil size from the selected curve and converts this into display brightness control values. A display control module, communicatively coupled to the display, then modifies the display's brightness using these control values and a timed ramp for a smooth transition. Specifically, the luminance module selects a *second* pupil size response curve when the initial target pupil size is larger than the current pupil size. This second curve represents how human pupil size dynamically changes over time as ambient light levels decrease (i.e., transitioning from higher to lower luminance). ERROR (embedding): Error: Failed to save embedding: Could not find the 'embedding' column of 'patent_claims' in the schema cache
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 6, 2009
September 17, 2013
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.